In today’s graphic design, an image can be manipulated in a variety of ways. Many people find that graphics editing software such as Adobe Photoshop are easy but powerful ways to reinvent a visual idea into an atmosphere of their choice.

In terms of images that will be saved and used in a static size, Photoshop may be a satisfactory choice.

However, in creating image files for the web and for print, Adobe Illustrator is a more specialized method. With Adobe Illustrator, people can save images in vector form, whereas Photoshop images will most likely be saved as jpegs.

Differences

The difference between vector and jpegs is inherently the quality of the image, specifically the parameter of image pixelization. While jpegs are saved as a pixel estimation of the image it composes as a whole, vectors are saved as the line and color qualities that are intrinsic of the file itself.

This phenomenon is most obvious when the image file is resized for use.

This is a very common concern for web designers who need to edit images for a given site:

In this sense, you cannot create a true vector image on Photoshop! Even if you have used the pen tool as you would in Illustrator, it is the type of file that the image is saved as that makes all the difference!

A vector-like image on Photoshop, therefore, is known as a vexel – somewhere between a vector and a pixel image.

Examples

One of the best ways to begin and improve your vector art is through tutorials. Guided examples allow you to practice many different techniques.

These techniques will both open you up to how to best approach vector drawing in general and for certain subjects of the image. Vectorizing an image of a human face will require different artistic “textures” and lines than vectoring the image of a car.

Some of the best vector tutorials on the web!

Mechanical

  

Human Form

  

Landscape/ Natural

  

Technique
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Car drawing~! Very detailed tutorial that would be a good way to immerse yourself into vectorizing if you don’t want to take small steps. Beginner-Intermediate.

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If you loved A Scanner Darkly, that avant garde illustrated art film you will love this tutorial. Step by step stylized vector art from the movie. It vectorizes clothing and the background but the style of a Scanner Darkly is focused very much on the human form as represented by light and shadow. Beginner- Intermediate level.

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How to create a vector representation of cherries. Detailed and step by step. Beginner.

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Line vectors are one of the most common and basic features of vector design. This tutorial will help you to manipulate line quality and how to use artistic effects of light in Illustrator. Beginner.
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How to make a lovely guitar vector. Uses gradients and opacity to make a realistic effect. This tutorial uses Inkscape but Illustrator has analogous tools that achieve the same effect. Beginner - Intermediate.

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A basic tutorial on vectorizing an image of an eye. Describes general details that make the illustration more realistic. Beginner-Intermediate.

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Create the ethereal look of a vector image that makes use of opacity differences and gradients. Beginner.

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Sunday morning cartoons in mind? If you want to create the pop art look with halftone textures and varying line qualities, this tutorial will be a great help. Beginner.
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A brisk walk through of a professional modeling of a car and its interior mechanisms. A good example of what is possible through the use of Illustrator as a base. Advanced.

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Ink art illustration as scanned into Illustator to perfect through computer graphics! A tutorial on anatomical drawings. Intermediate level.

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An artistic take on landscape and celestial illustration. Beyond simple vectorizing, this tutorial will open up your potential to create a unique image that incorporates eclectic features for a portfolio-type image. Intermediate.

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Gradients are a great way to add sleekness to a vector image. But how do you place the shine focus of the gradient where it is in the original image? How do you “bend” the shine point as in the original image? Beginner.
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An exquisite look at creating a cutaway of a cruise ship. A challenge for the experienced vector creator. More of an example than a tutorial but it is beautiful. Presents a real life example of modeling through Illustrator and Photoshop. Advanced.

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A very, very good tutorial on how to do vectors. Uses the example of a facial model to demonstrate fine color variation. Opacity and gradient manipulation as related to eye vectorization. A great place to start as it teached guidelines for general vectorization, as well as that regarding human form.

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Color separation is a professionally specific need. It allows you to separate aspects of the vector design by color onto different pages of a pdf. This may seem trivial, maybe OCD. But it is actually an important method of design for T-shirt designers and others who need to print their work for reproduction. Step by step. Intermediate.

This article has been written by “PaperDreamer” (Secret Alias) who writes daily at her own blog on http://paperdreamer.wordpress.com/. Be sure to check it out ! & Post your comments !